The Afterlife

Answer

Thanks for asking such an important question. First, let’s deal with how you worded the question. You asked if “Orthodox” Jews believe in afterlife. There are not two, three, or four Judaisms. There is only one Judaism. There is no such thing as some Jews who believe in the afterlife and some who do not. If someone says that they do not believe in something that the Torah teaches us is true it is simply because they are uneducated about the subject. There might be discussion about how to explain the concept, but nowhere is it written anywhere in any legitimate Jewish texts that there is no such thing as an afterlife.

There is a strong belief in Judaism of an afterlife. This world, according to Jewish philosophy, is where the individual defines his or her spiritual reality. They build a relationship between themselves and G-d, so that in the next world, that relationship may be enjoyed. This world is the way a person builds themselves up spiritually for the next.

What a depressing thought – to think of this world as the end. What would be the purpose of morality if all I had to answer to was myself and my fellow man. If that was the case then there would be no reason not to lie, steal, and cheat as long as nobody caught me. When I have to deal with a Higher Morality, then I cannot do something wrong even if no human knows that I have done it. The world of spirituality is a hidden one that, when studied, allows me to be truly free. What a sad reality to live in – a world where all that matters is my physical enjoyment. Heaven, from a Jewish perspective is how close I am to G-d. Hell, therefore, is defined as the distance that I create while on this earth. That is why this world is important: to create a closeness that is locked in as soon as I pass on to the next world. I hope this helps.

Be Well,
Rabbi Litt

[Also see this article]